- August 25, 2023
Esha Deol on Abhishek Bachchan reciting poem in ‘Ek Duaa’: He also had an emotional feeling towards it because he’s a father of a beautiful daughter himself – Exclusive | Hindi Movie News – Times of India
After recently bagging an award for Best Social Causes Film at the Indian International Film Festival of Boston (IIFFB), Esha Deol‘s ‘Ek Duaa‘ has received a special mention at the 69th National Film Awards 2023 in the category of Non Feature Films. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, the actress talked about her reaction to the big win, what attracted her to the subject, getting Abhishek Bachchan on board and more. Excerpts…
‘Ek Duaa’ received special mention at the 69th National Film Awards. Did you anticipate it?
No, I didn’t anticipate it. The subject of the film was something that I wanted to make. And that’s why I came on board as a producer also for the project. It was my effort to make it reach maximum people in the country. We just sent the entry and never anticipated to win. Yesterday, I did my meditation and all and then I went, took a nap and I got up and I saw my phone was filled with messages. I couldn’t believe this was happening for real.
I did a video call with my director who’s in Kolkata and both had a moment of emotional and overwhelming happiness. Because it’s very special to get recognition at that level. And also with a subject like this to reach and get an award at that level means the world to me. I know I did something right.
What really attracted you to this film as a producer?
From a very young age, I have had a lot of feminine force and feminine energy around me. Even while growing up in my house, I had a sister, I have two daughters. Other family members of my family also have daughters. Our house has been rich in feminine energy and it’s wonderful. I just felt that I should represent something like this. I think this is such a beautiful and emotional subject. And if in some way, I have been given the subject on a platter, I told myself, let me produce it also because it would be like my contribution towards such a big cause.
How did ‘Ek Duaa’ come your way?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee and I had worked earlier in ‘Cakewalk’. We were just casually chatting when he told me about this subject. I asked him to tell me the story right then as I didn’t want to fix another day for a narration. I am not someone who cries very easily, but by the end of it, I was in tears. I knew I had to be a part of this.
The film also has Abhishek Bachchan reciting a poem on girl child. How did that happen? And why Abhishek?
Abhishek is a very wonderful human being. He’s a father of a daughter himself. And he’s been a wonderful co-star and a friend. His voice has so much power. After Amitabh Bachchan, I feel like for this generation, it’s Abhishek. Both Ram and I spoke to him and he immediately agreed. He also had an emotional feeling towards it because he’s a father of a beautiful daughter himself.
‘Ek Duaa’ received special mention at the 69th National Film Awards. Did you anticipate it?
No, I didn’t anticipate it. The subject of the film was something that I wanted to make. And that’s why I came on board as a producer also for the project. It was my effort to make it reach maximum people in the country. We just sent the entry and never anticipated to win. Yesterday, I did my meditation and all and then I went, took a nap and I got up and I saw my phone was filled with messages. I couldn’t believe this was happening for real.
I did a video call with my director who’s in Kolkata and both had a moment of emotional and overwhelming happiness. Because it’s very special to get recognition at that level. And also with a subject like this to reach and get an award at that level means the world to me. I know I did something right.
What really attracted you to this film as a producer?
From a very young age, I have had a lot of feminine force and feminine energy around me. Even while growing up in my house, I had a sister, I have two daughters. Other family members of my family also have daughters. Our house has been rich in feminine energy and it’s wonderful. I just felt that I should represent something like this. I think this is such a beautiful and emotional subject. And if in some way, I have been given the subject on a platter, I told myself, let me produce it also because it would be like my contribution towards such a big cause.
How did ‘Ek Duaa’ come your way?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee and I had worked earlier in ‘Cakewalk’. We were just casually chatting when he told me about this subject. I asked him to tell me the story right then as I didn’t want to fix another day for a narration. I am not someone who cries very easily, but by the end of it, I was in tears. I knew I had to be a part of this.
The film also has Abhishek Bachchan reciting a poem on girl child. How did that happen? And why Abhishek?
Abhishek is a very wonderful human being. He’s a father of a daughter himself. And he’s been a wonderful co-star and a friend. His voice has so much power. After Amitabh Bachchan, I feel like for this generation, it’s Abhishek. Both Ram and I spoke to him and he immediately agreed. He also had an emotional feeling towards it because he’s a father of a beautiful daughter himself.
